A place like the Right Livers' Rest was bound to draw freaks, same as molasses draws flies. 1935, George Goodchild, chapter 5, in Death on the Centre Court: By one o'clock the place was choc-a-bloc.
Respiratory infections as well as infections of certain glands can be a cause of excessive saliva, according to the National Library of Medicine. Children with a cold, influenza or nasal allergies may have excessive saliva and drool.
Some possible causes of choking on saliva are hypersalivation, dysphagia and certain types of neurological conditions. Some very common causes for hypersalivation can be due to eating spicy or sour foods or taking certain medications.